Dear Neighbors,
Governor. J.B. Pritzker has ordered the closure of all public and private K-12 schools across the state, including Chicago Public Schools, starting Tuesday, March 17 until at least March 31.
Read the press release
.
School-sponsored activities, events, field trips, and athletic events are also canceled
during this time.
All school buildings will be closed for deep cleaning
beginning Tuesday, March 17 - March 31. Families should not send their children to schools.
Families will be able to pick up a package with three days worth of meals for each child in their household at their neighborhood CPS school
starting Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunchroom staff will prep, bag, and provide meals outside of the school building. If you have questions, please email
familyservices@cps.edu.
Schools will be sending enrichment resources and materials home with students. On Monday, March 16. School--based staff will send resources home in hard copy and online format. Staff will help student remove their belongings from lockers.
All full-time staff will be paid throughout this time, but staff will not have access to school buildings during the closure. Central and network offices will be open only for emergency personnel.
As of now, day care centers will remain open and will follow strict health and safety guidance.
Mayor Lightfoot has appealed to all employers to be flexible to help children of workers. The City will be researching alternative locations for children.
Parents and children should follow this guidance:
- If parents or children are sick, they should stay home. No exceptions.
- Wash your hands properly several times a day.
- No one should shake hands.
- We know it will be difficult to keep kids occupied. The best place for everyone to be is at home. However, that is difficult for some people. Consider the caregiver - Grandma's house if probably not the best place to be.
- Health care workers and first responders have to stay healthy. Figure out a way we can assist these parents.
- Any child care center should have fewer than 250 people, and if the children have special needs, there should not be more than ten in one place.
All Chicago Park field houses will remain open and some park field houses will have programming. Announcements will be forthcoming.
Chicago Public Libraries will also be open for basic services. All libraries are currently receiving deep cleaning.
Polling Stations Will Remain at CPS locations
If your polling place is a CPS school, go there to vote on Election Day.
Early voting hours have been extended for Chicago:
- Friday, March 13th: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday, March 14th: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday, March 15th: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Monday, March 16th: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (except at six "permanent sites" in Chicago, which are open until 7:00 PM)
Correction: It is no longer possible to get a vote by mail application. The last date to apply on-line was March 12.
If, however, you have recently been hospitalized, you can file a special
affidavit
with a doctor's signature. A relative or registered voter must sign and get notarized another affidavit that allows that person to go the Board of Elections, hand in the form, get the ballot and then return the completed ballot to the Board of Elections.
Be a Replacement Election Judge
Election Day is Tuesday, March 17, and we are dedicated to making sure that all of our polling sites are fully staffed. We have worked hard to ensure that polling places are safe given our current public health challenges and we have ensured that Chicago’s election can move forward in a way that protects the right to vote while ensuring the safety of all of our residents.
But, we need your help! We are asking for volunteers to serve as a replacement Election Judge (poll worker) to help staff the precincts at any sites that may need help on Tuesday.
Serving as an Election Judge is a rewarding experience, where you will be helping fellow citizens exercise the right to vote. Election Judges who serve will be paid $170.
WHAT DOES AN ELECTION JUDGE DO?
This role requires that you:
- Watch your email and answer your phone from when you sign-up through Tuesday, March 17 for an assignment.
- Study the Election Judge handbook and watch the training videos that the Chicago Election Board is providing. The handbook can be found at: https://chicagoelections.gov/en/serving-as-a-judge-of-election.html. Instructional videos will be available at this site beginning late Friday.
- Arrive at your assigned polling place promptly at 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
- Set up the voting equipment.
- Open the polls at 6:00 a.m.
- Check in voters and issue ballots throughout the day until polls close at 7:00 p.m.
- Remain until approximately 7:30 p.m. or later until paperwork is complete.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
In order to volunteer as an Election Judge, we ask that you please do the following:
- Sign-up online at: https://chicagoelections.gov/en/serving-as-a-judge-of-election.html and click on Volunteer to be a Replacement / Standby Election Judge here!
- Then check your emails and answer your phone through Tuesday, March 17 for an assignment.
- If assigned before Election Day, be ready to report to that polling place by 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
Please note: Replacement Election Judges, also called “Standby Judges”, do NOT have any designated party affiliation!
Thank you in advance for your service and dedication to the vital democracy in Chicago!
The COVID-19 hotline for Chicago is 1-800-889-3931, and the City of Chicago’s additional line is (312) 746-7425 and will be operating Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM.
